Saad Khan heads the business and strategic function of DDB Mudra Group’s West unit as President and Managing Partner – Growth & Strategy. Saad’s role reaffirms DDB’s positioning, which promises to deliver disproportionate growth and effectiveness on the back of groundbreaking creativity.
In December 1998, during his first advertising stint as an Account Management trainee at Leo Burnett, a conversation with a Senior Creative Director inspired his career. He said, “You are only here to do one thing. GREAT WORK. Everything else follows.” That has been Saad’s purpose ever since.
Over the last two decades, his pursuit of great work has been centred around building people, creating culture and pushing work that is sharp and insightful. Saad has worked with brands such as Coca-Cola, Amul, Reckitt Benckiser, Tata Motors, ITC Foods, Volvo Cars, Honda, and Nerolac etc., during his time with Leo Burnett, Lowe Lintas, Dentsu Creative, and FCB Ulka.
One of his most notable achievements is his strategic contribution to building the Tata Motors brand. His efforts have played a significant role in its success within India’s EV category where it enjoys an 85% market share.
In April 2011, Saad co-founded Marketing Unplugged, a marketing and brand innovation firm that challenged formulaic marketing. Inspired by a fresh wave of thinking in the sphere of behavioural economics, Marketing Unplugged gave him a perspective that was broader than advertising and allowed him to scale ideas and help businesses innovate.
Saad has formally taught MBA students and is also a part of a band. Travelling and reading are passions he pursues in his free time.